Hayward City Hall Rotunda will be the venue on Thursday, June 9 for an amazing opportunity to hear directly from key Afghan leaders. The US Embassy in Kabul and Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team, in cooperation with The Asia Foundation and the Hayward-Ghazni Sister Cities Committee, are sponsoring a visit of 10 Afghan leaders from Kabul and Hayward's sister city, Ghazni.

The City of Ghazni is notable for its long history, rich cultural heritage and historic sites and has been designated a Center of Islamic Culture in Asia for 2013. The city was founded as a market town before the establishment of the ancient Persian Empire and was incorporated into Persia during the reign of Cyrus II. During the Islamic period, the city later became an important trading portal to South Asia. About 1,000 years ago, it became the famed capital of the Ghaznavid dynasty.

This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a delicious Afghan meal and listen to a presidential cabinet official working on urban development and construction issues in Afghanistan. The Governor of Ghazni Province and Mayor of Ghazni City will speak about challenges and opportunities facing the country. A female member of the Afghan Parliament will add her perspective as well as another woman who runs the Women's Literacy Program that teaches widows in Ghazni skills so they can feed their children.

All supporters will become Hayward-Ghazni Sister City Members. Proceeds go to support the program to teach widows in Ghazni skills to support their families. Donations above the $20 cost of the meal are tax deductible.